Our culture emphasizes teamwork and an unqualified commitment to excellence and is a key reason for our success. T&K was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015 among the most highly recognized law firms in the U.S.

Thompson & Knight is a growing Firm that recognizes the importance of hiring qualified lawyers, paralegals, and administrative professionals who can contribute to the growth of our practice and support our diverse client base. We are committed to the success of each employee and the impact they have on the future growth of Thompson & Knight.

Aviation

Practice Contacts

Thompson & Knight attorneys have counseled and represented diverse segments of the aviation industry for many years. Our clients include major air carriers, aviation insurers, civilian and military airframe and component parts manufacturers, aircraft owners, operators, and pilots, covering all aspects of aircraft operation.

We represent major air carriers in federal and state court multidistrict litigation and NTSB investigations arising out of domestic and foreign air carrier accidents and serve as lead trial counsel during liability and damage trials arising out of these accidents. The Firm also represents manufacturers of aviation products in litigation arising out of allegations of defective products and represents aircraft insurers, owners, operators, and pilots in aviation-related litigation.

In addition, Thompson & Knight attorneys regularly advise and represent aviation industry clients in other regulatory and administrative matters and disputes, such as insurance coverage matters and disputes; environmental investigations; general labor, union, and employment issues; and corporate, commercial, contractual, and operational matters. For example, attorneys in our Corporate and Securities Practice Group regularly counsel and represent parties involved in the purchase and sale of aircraft, including purchases of fractional interests, leasing of aircraft, and addressing ownership structure issues.

Practice Contacts

Experience

We defended a major U.S. air carrier in a seven-day jury trial, securing a verdict of no negligence on the part of our client. The case involved a heart attack and allegations of failure to resuscitate a passenger on a plane at Chicago O'Hare Airport.

We obtained an important appellate decision on behalf of a major U.S. air carrier in a case arising out of an accident involving a flight at Denver International Airport. Plaintiffs sought to depose our client's then-Chairman and CEO about the accident, the trial court ordered a deposition, but the court of appeals agreed with our mandamus petition, holding that the trial court abused its discretion in ordering the deposition.

We represented a major air carrier in litigation brought by families of deceased crew members of an international airline arising out of a foreign accident.

We represented a fixed-base operator and leasing agent in a dispute with a large international aviation insurance company in federal court.

As lead counsel for a major commercial air carrier, we defeated by summary judgment a claim for punitive damages asserted against the airline in conjunction with a major air crash. The judgment was later affirmed by a federal appellate court.

We represented a major air carrier as lead counsel in federal MDL litigation and in cases in courts of two different states arising out of a domestic airline accident during a flight operated by another airline under a codeshare agreement. The representation included serving as lead counsel on liability issues and as trial counsel for several personal injury and wrongful death claims filed by passengers and their survivors.

We represented a major air carrier in federal multi-district and state court litigation arising out of a domestic airline accident. Our representation included serving as lead counsel on liability issues and as trial counsel on numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases filed by passengers and their survivors, several of which were tried to jury verdict.

We defended a major air carrier in litigation alleging defamation, business disparagement, and tortious interference arising out of the termination of a mail handling contractor.

We represented an aircraft maintenance company as lead trial counsel in a multi-death aircraft accident case involving allegations of faulty maintenance and misrepresentation. After discovery, a settlement was reached for less than 10% of the amount claimed.

We represented a major U.S. air carrier in personal injury litigation filed by several passengers claiming they were denied assistance during boarding.

We represented the owner of a Boeing 727 in a multimillion-dollar federal court suit against the seller of the aircraft for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of warranty, and other claims.

We represented a national banking association as owner trustee in litigation between the buyer of commercial aircraft and the bank/sellers.

We represented a large manufacturer in its negotiations with the City of Austin, Texas regarding construction of addition to Austin's Bergstrom International Airport.

We represented a Brazilian privately-held company in the restructuring of its debt with a Canadian aircraft manufacturer.

We advised a major air carrier based in Brazil on a parts management agreement.